Film is considered by many to be an art of escapism, in which the viewer is transported by the movie into another, fictional world. However, others consider film to be a reflection of reality, able to flesh out aspects of life that are not openly addressed so willingly.

This is especially true of Indian cinema, which features several groundbreaking and controversial films that show the stark truth of life. These are a few must-see Indian films that were far ahead of their time.

Fire, released in 1996, tells the story of two young women named Sita and Radha. Their husbands choose either celibacy or other mistresses instead of them, and they begin to develop a passionate relationship with one another.

This was one of the first mainstream Bollywood movies to depict a homosexual relationship, and it created intense controversy upon its release.

Chandni Bar, released in 2001, tells of the story of a young orphan woman who moves to Mumbai, only to be forced to work as a bar dancer in order to survive. It brought the unexplored side of the Mumbai underworld into the public eye, such as intergenerational prostitution, gun crime, and prison abuse.

Mandi, released in 1983, is about Rukminibai, who was once patronized by princes, but now owns an ailing brothel. The movie tells the story of the brothel, which politicians want to encroach, all while satirizing politics and prostitution.

Mathrubhoomi, released in 2003, is about a dystopian Indian future, in which there is a shrunken woman population due to female infanticide and feticide over the past years.

It tells the story of a woman bought by a man named Ramcharan to fulfil the sexual desires of himself and his five sons. It sheds light on the consequences of extreme sexism and sexist practices.

Lajja, released in 2001, tells the story of four different women who come together and refuse to be abused by their husbands, deciding to fight for their rights.

It mocks a society which, while it worships many goddesses, refuses to honor and give rights to its own women.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1619861